Distraction enterogenesis in the murine colon.

Background/purpose: Distraction enterogenesis with intraluminal spring technology has been successfully used to lengthen segments of murine small intestine. We hypothesized that biocompatible springs could also be used to lengthen murine large intestine.

Methods: Age and weight matched C57BL/6 mice underwent surgical insertion of nitinol spring-loaded capsules into the cecum. Segment lengths were measured at initial spring placement and at euthanasia after 7 and 14 days. Histologic adaptations were evaluated at scarification.

Results: Cecal segments loaded with compressed springs lengthened an average of 150%, which was significantly longer than control segments loaded with either empty capsules or uncompressed springs. Muscularis layers tended to be thicker in the compressed spring groups compared to control groups.

Conclusions: Insertion of a compressed nitinol spring into the cecum results in significant colonic lengthening in a mouse model. The ability to increase cecum length serves as proof of concept that distraction enterogenesis technology may be feasibly applied to large intestinal models. The use of distraction enterogenesis technology shows promise for application to clinical models in the treatment of pediatric intestinal disease.